U.S. House Committee Advances Cannabis and Psychedelics Research Bills for Veterans

NEW YORK- The House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs has recently passed two significant bills concerning the use of cannabis and psychedelics for veterans, gaining unanimous support among the committee members. The proposals, reported by Marijuana Moment, were considered along with a broader package of legislation.

The first measure, the Veterans Cannabis Analysis, Research and Effectiveness (CARE) Act, is spearheaded by Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R). It mandates the Veterans Administration (VA) to engage in comprehensive research examining the efficacy and safety of various forms of cannabis for treating conditions such as chronic pain and PTSD. This research initiative aims to explore non-opioid treatment options for veterans, reflecting a proactive approach to enhancing veteran healthcare through empirical data.

The second proposal, H.R.7347, introduced by Rep. Derick Van Orden (R), seeks to direct the VA Secretary to consider including certain psychedelic drugs in the VA formulary, contingent upon their FDA approval. Despite the VA’s reservations about this measure citing it as “unnecessary” and potentially burdensome, Rep. Van Orden emphasized the positive impacts of psychedelic treatments on combat veterans, particularly as an alternative to prevent veteran suicides.

These legislative advancements occur amidst growing advocacy efforts, such as those by Smart and Safe Florida, which urges veterans to support a campaign for cannabis legalization in Florida. The group highlights cannabis as a preferable alternative to synthetic opioids for treating PTSD among veterans, further underscoring the shifting perception towards these substances in therapeutic contexts.

The progression of these bills through the legislative process marks a critical step in potentially altering how veterans’ healthcare integrates emerging treatments, providing a foundation for broader acceptance and understanding of cannabis and psychedelic therapy in veteran care.